Qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, 17, on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
With 33 entrants guaranteeing a spot for everyone in the May 24 race, there is no bumping this year, and race officials have made changes reflecting that.
Rain is the Saturday forecast, and that could prompt qualifying schedule and format changes.
Indy 500 2026 qualifying format, schedule
Will is rain during Indy 500 qualifying? Indy 500 qualifying weather forecast
How can I watch Indy 500 qualifying? What channel is Indy 500 qualifying on?
(All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live, IndyCar Radio, Sirius XM Channel 218 and the Fox One app)
How can I stream the Indianapolis 500? How to stream the Indy 500?
FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app
Watch Indy 500 action on Fubo
How much are Indy 500 qualifying tickets?
Indy 500 qualifying tickets start at $30
Who won the Indy 500 pole position in 2025?
Rookie Robert Shwartzman of Prema Racing stunned the field by winning the Fast Six. He lost his brakes entering his pit stall during the race, running into some crew members (none was seriously hurt) and finishing 26th. Shwartzman is not entered this year.
Who has won the most Indy 500 pole positions?
Rick Mears won six (1979, ’82, ’86, ’88, ’89, ’91). Scott Dixon (2008, ’15, ’17, ’21, ’22) will try to match Mears.
What is the Indy 500 qualifying record; what is the fastest lap at the Indy 500?
Arie Luyendyk had a 4-lap run of 236.986 mph, with his best lap at 237.498, in 1996. However, because of the rules at the time, his blistering second-day (of four) run did not earn him the pole position.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How does Indy 500 qualifying work? 2026 schedule, format, where to watch, weather
Reporting by Scott Horner and Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
